Jazz for aficionados


Jazz for aficionados

I'm going to review records in my collection, and you'll be able to decide if they're worthy of your collection. These records are what I consider "must haves" for any jazz aficionado, and would be found in their collections. I wont review any record that's not on CD, nor will I review any record if the CD is markedly inferior. Fortunately, I only found 1 case where the CD was markedly inferior to the record.

Our first album is "Moanin" by Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers. We have Lee Morgan , trumpet; Benney Golson, tenor sax; Bobby Timmons, piano; Jymie merrit, bass; Art Blakey, drums.

The title tune "Moanin" is by Bobby Timmons, it conveys the emotion of the title like no other tune I've ever heard, even better than any words could ever convey. This music pictures a person whose down to his last nickel, and all he can do is "moan".

"Along Came Betty" is a tune by Benny Golson, it reminds me of a Betty I once knew. She was gorgeous with a jazzy personality, and she moved smooth and easy, just like this tune. Somebody find me a time machine! Maybe you knew a Betty.

While the rest of the music is just fine, those are my favorite tunes. Why don't you share your, "must have" jazz albums with us.

Enjoy the music.
orpheus10
Battle goes to church. forgot to post the link! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbIAEKQ7GmY

Cheers
Learsfool:

Wow!! You are in a tough arena!! You answered the question I asked and all the ones that arose from that answer. very thorough! left me question-less!

I suspected it was as you said. A person has to be really dedicated and be able to earn a living until, say, the guy on third trumpet keels over.

Comparing it to acting is very accurate. Thanks for your time and sharing your expertise with us all.

Can't wait to read how one becomes a conductor. I will find it facinating that one system could accomodate such a wide variety of personalities. With folks like Bernstein and Karajan on the loose, How did a guy like Bohm get a job. :)

Thanks again

Cheers

Rok, now that we got our Gurus back, all is right in "Jazz Aficionado Land".

Frogman, When I bought "Mingus Ah Um" in 59, I was the only person I knew with an album by Mingus, and I simply bought the LP because I liked the cover. Once my group heard it, they were hooked on Mingus.

Even noise was music to Mingus; tugboat horns on the river, bird calls, and all sorts of other sounds. "A Modern Jazz Symposium of Music and Poetry" is an album that reminded my mother of me, "Why don't yall just let me be cool"! Here's the Wiki low down on the album.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Modern_Jazz_Symposium_of_Music_and_Poetry

Here's "New York Sketchbook" from that album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZTR60YlDtg&feature=c4-overview&list=UUERycULxw1_NJ4ux2nh-qgQ

Enjoy the music.

I was walking past the "Pershing Lounge" in Chicago, when I saw a bunch of people gawking at a car parked out front. Although it was an automobile we hadn't seen before, they were gawking because it was Dinah Washington's car, she was performing at the Pershing; this was in the summer of 56, and the Continental Mark II was so new, no one had seen one in the flesh. While I never saw Dinah Washington in the flesh, I still remember her car.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_Mark_II

I'm treasuring that memory, as I listen to Dinah; she could sing it all, and do it like no one else. While most of the other Diva's are best known for: gospel, pop, blues, or jazz; Dinah could do it all.

"What a Difference a Day Makes", was her pop contribution.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhaBIlWPxfo

Her voice had a quality of deep longing, "Saudade" is the word in Portuguese. It has no direct translation in English, but suggests a deep melancholic longing for an absent something, or someone that one loves. It also carries the repressed knowledge that the object of longing will never return.

While no matter what genre your preference is, you'll probably find something you like by Dinah; my favorite is "Invitation".


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyp1yvSBq5I

Picture this, you're at a bar you come to and listen to music to unwind. About four stools down there is an intriguing lady that attracts your attention. In order to be unobtrusive, you look in the mirror behind the bar at her reflection, and your eyes meet; that's when you smile. This intriguing lady finds you equally so .....

"Stardust", is one of the most popular songs I can think of, but when Dinah sings the song, it takes on a new persona; here's "Stardust" by Dinah. What are you're favorite tunes by Dinah Washington?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sopS-c1ca4E

Enjoy the music.
*****Here's "New York Sketchbook" from that album.*****

I like it. Sounded like NY to me. Which is amazing, considering I've never been there, save JFK. Maybe the Gershwin effect, An American in NY? :) But once you know it's by Mingus, you know there is something there, and the playing will always be of the highest order. All the listener has to do is pay attention.

I don't have that Album or that tune. I thought I had EVERYTHING by Mingus.

Cheers